psfxtable

psfxtable [-qv] [-t type] [-f file] [-o offset] [-l length] [-i] [-d key] [-a key=value] [key ...]

-q
    Activate query mode (this is the default behavior).

-v
    Enable verbose logging, showing more details about operations.

-t type
    Specify the internal table type (e.g., lookup, data).

-f file
    Specify the full path to the pfx table file.

-o offset
    Specify the record offset within the table, typically used with -l.

-l length
    Specify the record length for fixed-size entries, used with -o.

-i
    Initialize or create an empty pfx table at the specified file path.

-d key
    Delete the specified key and its associated value from the table.

-a key=value
    Add or update an entry in the table with the given key and value pair.

[key ...]
    One or more keys to query in the table when in query mode (default).

psfxtable is a Postfix command-line utility designed for managing and querying Postfix's specialized persistent fixed-size (pfx) tables.

Unlike the more common hash or btree tables managed by postmap, pfx tables are optimized for extremely fast lookups of fixed-size records and are primarily used internally by Postfix for specific data structures. These can include, for instance, records for address verification statuses, internal content filtering rules, or very large access control lists where performance is critical.

The command allows administrators to inspect the contents of these tables, add or delete individual entries, or even initialize/recreate the table structure. Its usage typically extends to advanced debugging or specific system maintenance tasks rather than routine mail server configuration.

• psfxtable operates on Postfix's internal pfx tables, which are not designed for direct routine manipulation by administrators in the same way as postmap tables.
• Direct manipulation of these tables can impact Postfix's internal state and should be done with extreme caution, preferably only when troubleshooting or performing advanced system maintenance.
• Understanding and correctly using parameters like -o (offset) and -l (length) requires detailed knowledge of the specific pfx table's internal structure.

psfxtable specifically manages Postfix's internal pfx (persistent fixed-size) tables. These tables are optimized for high-performance lookups of fixed-length records and are fundamentally different from the general-purpose lookup tables handled by postmap (e.g., hash, btree). They are typically used for Postfix's internal state management and specialized data structures.

Direct manipulation of pfx tables using psfxtable is generally intended for Postfix developers or highly advanced administrators. It is not a command for routine Postfix administration and is typically used for debugging, specific low-level maintenance, or in scenarios where automated Postfix processes are not sufficient.

psfxtable is an integral component of the Postfix mail system, introduced to support specific internal data structures that benefit from extremely fast, fixed-size lookups. Its development is intertwined with the overall evolution of Postfix, particularly in optimizing performance for very large datasets and efficient management of internal system state. It complements the more general-purpose postmap utility by addressing specialized table requirements.

postfix(1), postconf(1), postmap(1), postalias(1)